Zack Wheeler to throw off mound for first time since Tommy John surgery

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets in action against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on August 27, 2014 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 3-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zack Wheeler

New York Mets starter Zack Wheeler is nearing another significant benchmark in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

According to multiple reports on Monday, Wheeler is scheduled to throw from the mound by the end of the month and could do so as early as Friday.

While he has been throwing from flat ground, the 25-year-old right-hander has yet to throw from the bump since having Tommy John surgery last March, which forced him to miss the entire 2015 season.

Prior to the emergence of 2014 NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz, who joined the Mets' major-league rotation last year, Wheeler had the spotlight as the Mets' next promising starter to join 2012 addition Matt Harvey.

In his two years at the big-league level, Wheeler has posted an 18-16 record with a 3.50 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 271 strikeouts against 125 walks in 285 1/3 innings over 49 starts.